“Against these daunting odds, a remarkable exception seems to be emerging in Cincinnati. Strive, a nonprofit subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks, has brought together local leaders to tackle the student achievement crisis and improve education throughout greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. In the four years since the group was launched, Strive partners have improved student success in dozens of key areas across three large public school districts. Despite the recession and budget cuts, 34 of the 53 success indicators that Strive tracks have shown positive trends, including high school graduation rates, fourth-grade reading and math scores, and the number of preschool children prepared for kindergarten.”

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Ralls, Texas Grain Silos 2010

I was asked again yesterday, what is meant by my reference to a rural community sickness coined by me as “Silo Disorder.” For starters click on the highlighted text link that defines a “silo” mostly connected with a farming community where grain is stored in tall cylinder structures close to rail transportation. My work over the past 25 years in rural community building projects reveals that the greatest challenge and obstacle to overcome at the beginning of any project for the “greater good” is to get our neighbors and community leaders to talk to each other, build relationships, discover teamwork, and find common ground… We often refer to this process as leadership, but I don’t believe defining leadership initially helps…it is too subjective. Leadership means different things to folks and the dots are rarely connected unless there is a reference to something tangible and attention getting like “silo disorder.” If we all stay in our tiny sheltered world of self interests only, we never see the light of day or the bigger picture of what we should be talking about to build community vitality where new opportunities are discovered…where innovation happens…where we begin to find new social investment capital never before realized by creating public private partnerships (PPP)… click for graphic images…

Communities everywhere dream about economic development and improving the community as a popular destination point for vacationers and travelers, including building a much better quality of life for citizens, but can’t seem to make it happen until tearing down the silo mentality and start talking and trusting each other. We residents and community leaders often find ourselves stuck in the mud for decades because we spend our time picking on each other about the small stuff, and never get to the part where a strategic plan for the greater good comes into clear view.

We have to stop all the silliness and ignorance right now where ever we live and get down to the basics of building a community culture that thrives. Get all these individual self interest groups, including local government, business, non-profits, schools, colleges, chambers of commerce, home owner associations, young adults, adults, seniors, moms, dads, parents, and grand parents, including the kids to hold hands and start talking… amazing stuff will happen in your community! Go for it and stop whining, complaining, and blaming. It takes a village, a team, and strong leadership to build a thriving community. We have to do this work for the greater good together with common goals and strategic plans… Start talking and trusting your friends and neighbors and get to work!

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Reconciliation: A Son’s Story by Steve Sparks

A Gift To Every Reader
By John F Tyson on April 18, 2015 Format: Kindle Edition Writing is a solitary process that requires purging, especially when it comes to a memoir. Not many would have the courage to reveal the depth and toxicity of PTSD at such an intimate level, on a complete family. To me, this book is a wonderful gift and will bring comfort to those who continue the struggle. An inspiring quote, buried in the copy, says it all; "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; It's about learning to dance in the rain". I highly recommend this book.

My Journey of Healing in Life After Trauma, Part 1, Kindle $2.99

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Holden Village, A Memoir by Werner Janssen

I was taken by your quote at the end of chapter 1..."Miracles happen when freedom within nature and the human life are allowed to develop through relatively free interaction but without too much organizational interference." This is the magic sauce of innovation and entrepreneurship! Free wheeling brainstorming among kindred spirits! Steve Sparks

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By Steve Sparks on April 21, 2015 Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase "Innovation and entrepreneurship" is the soul of a successful business enterprise. The Nortel story and legacy is both inspiring and sad. The "lessons learned" are well worth the price of admission... A must read for leaders, educators, and students everywhere!